What should go in the liquor store space?

With the elections behind us, and the news that all state-run liquor stores will be gone by June 1, I’m curious to see who or what will occupy the space on N. 45th; and reading some of the posts in the Forums, I know I’m not alone in my curiosity.

So, I’d like to take a pulse check here as the basis for a good weekend discussion. In the Forums, readers Lauren suggested a BevMo; E 30 Memorial wrote: COSTCO; and Jen suggested a Metropolitan Market.

FIRST, building needs a COMPLETELY less governmental look whatever it may be. Since PCC is going into the green lake hole, not likely. WFoods and TJ’s is too close. I think a market will have a hard time making it here (despite how much WE would frequent it, it might not be enough). I vote for a completely new concept that resonates with Wallyhood. Maybe its like Laurelhurst Market in Portland. http://www.laurelhurstmarket.com/

I can’t remember what was there before the video store? The building seems weirdly ill suited to either video or liquor sales. All that glass along the street more or less goes to waste. Why build a tall, spacious interior with lots of natural light, to sell videos?

Of the ideas mentioned:
Ethiopian restaurant, community center (not likely to happen, and Lincoln is still standing empty) larger library (again, requires city finds, so not likely.) Would love to have a library like Greenwood. A gym, several have gone out of business lately and the space is large enough.
Space is pretty big for an Ethiopian restaurant but I think that is a great idea.

No liquor store, we will be flooded with liquor at the grocery and drug stores.

It’s too small for a market, too big for most restaurants. That leaves a gym or martial Arts place, or (MY FAVORITE!) a BECU branch! One where you can talk to a person, not just a cash machine. Actually, it is just the right size for a quilting store like In The Beginning used to be.

How about a nice Albertsons or Safeway. We only have one grocery store.

Wallyhood is dedicated to fostering community and communication in the Wallingford neighborhood. A group of volunteer editors rotates the responsibility of managing the site, and we welcome stories from all our neighbors.

This week’s editor is Ben Robinson. You can contact the editor-of-the-week at [email protected].

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